Culinary schools in South Africa

Professional cookery and patisserie training in South Africa is tied to the National Qualifications Framework. The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) registers qualifications, and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) handles occupational qualifications. The providers researched cite SAQA IDs: Occupational Certificate: Cook (NQF 4, ID 102296), Occupational Certificate: Chef (NQF 5, ID 101697) and Certificate: Patisserie (NQF 5, ID 73292). In SAQA's records fetched on 2026-10-16 all three show 'passed the end date' status with last dates for enrolment of 2026-12-30, 2026-12-30 and 2028-06-30 respectively, so applicants should ask providers which qualification they now enrol on. Chef is a gazetted trade, and the trade certificate requires the Occupational Certificate: Chef exam, according to Silwood.

Source: saqa.org.za

Occupational Certificate: Cook (NQF 4, SAQA ID 102296)

Cited by Capsicum for its Professional Chef programme (entry at Grade 10 / NQF 2 with Mathematical Literacy, age 18). Source

Occupational Certificate: Chef (NQF 5, SAQA ID 101697)

Trade qualification; Silwood states eligibility for the exam requires 3 years of study including 18 months in school and 18 months in industry, or recognition of prior learning. Source

Certificate: Patisserie (NQF 5, SAQA ID 73292)

Cited by Capsicum for its Professional Patisserie programme. Source

Teaching languages. Both schools researched teach in English; Capsicum's site also offers isiZulu, Sesotho and Xitsonga page versions.

Tuition context. Neither Silwood nor Capsicum publishes programme prices openly: Silwood sends the fee structure on enquiry and says fees rise by no more than 10% a year, set in early November for the following year; Capsicum publishes 2026 fee schedules by campus region through its payment portal. Source

Admissions. Silwood asks for a school leavers certificate (grade 12 or equivalent), age 18 by 1 June of the first year, accepts 56 first-year students a year, and closes foreign applications at the end of September; non-residents need a student visa. Capsicum lists Grade 10 or NQF 2 for the chef programme and Grade 12 or NQF 4 for patisserie, age 18, with February (and July for patisserie) intakes. Source

Nothing here establishes visa, work-permit or credit-transfer eligibility. Check current rules with the official sources below.

• South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
• SAQA registered qualifications search
• Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)